Borrowing from the political realm, we have two extremes in denominational Christianity. To the right or conservative side is extreme holiness, which I will deal with in a later chapter. To the extreme left or liberal side is the “easy believe-ism.” The liberal theology teaches, we must simply believe in God or believe in Jesus and you will be saved. Another version says, all you need is faith you will be saved. Many will say that you simply need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and say the prayer of faith to receive salvation. These folks teach that to do anything beyond simply believing, or having faith is a form of works.
My purpose is not to criticize their position, since believing, faith and grace are all biblical doctrines. Rather, we must not stop with these doctrines. To do so leaves out many important aspects of scripture. God has more for us and we need to go beyond these simple doctrines belief and faith. While each has it’s merits in Biblical Christianity, we must take into account all of the scriptures.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God. In other words, it is purely by God’s mercy, that he gives us grace or his unmerited favor. It is absolutely unmerited, or in other words it is not something we received by our own merits. We did not, in any way earn it. God is a loving, and merciful God. It is only when we come to the throne of God, seeking his mercy, that we will find his grace, or unmerited favor. God is always just and trustworthy to keep his word.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We are saved by grace through faith. Note however the scriptures require us to do something. Even though we are saved by grace, through faith, in Hebrews 4:16, we still need to respond. We can not just sit back and expect God to save us because we have faith. We still must approach the throne of God. If we have the faith to approach God, trusting that he is true to his word, and trusting that he will perform what he says, then we can be bold. It is this faith that leads us to God’s grace. As Paul says we are saved by grace through faith. In other words, if we have faith, then it requires us to have some sort of response to obtain the grace. In other words we have the faith to approach the throne of God to obtain his grace. The grace of God comes by our responding to God in faith. Thus Paul says it is not by our works or the works of the law that we are saved. If it were possible to earn salvation by our works, then we would not need God’s grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
This is why we can not obtain salvation through the works of the law. If we could, we would not need God’s grace. We would be able to boast before God and say, see, I saved myself by my own works. The idea that is discussed by Paul, is the idea that what we do alone will not save us. There is a balance here. Just because we respond according to the scriptures, does not mean that we have works. It simply illustrates our faith and that we believe what God is instructing us to do. We are required to have a response to God, but that response does not negate God’s grace toward us.
Rom 4:3-5 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Here we see Paul use the example of Abraham. Abraham was counted righteous by his faith. However, Abraham did not stay in Ur of Chaldees. Because of his faith, he responded to God’s command to leave his home land. So what are we going to say, faith alone was counted to Abraham as righteousness. No, because Abraham would have never left his home land, if we follow the idea that all he had to do was believe and have faith. Abraham was counted righteous by a combination of his faith and his obedient response to God’s commandment to leave his homeland. The fact that Abraham obeyed God, demonstrated Abraham’s faith in God.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
The concept that we are not saved by works is often misquoted. The works that Paul is referring to are the works of the Law by themselves. The idea that to do anything beyond simply believing is works is not correct. Faith and grace does not negate the necessity of having the appropriate response to God’s commandments.
Many people believe in God, but that does not necessarily mean that they have faith in God. For example, I believe in the New York Stock Exchange. I believe that the institution exists, and that they trade stocks on a daily basis according to their appointed days of business. That does not mean that I have faith in the New York Stock Exchange. If I have faith, then I would readily invest my money, or maybe even borrow money I do not have to invest in the market. As we have seen in 2008, the stock markets have undergone massive reductions in value. Many people who had faith in the markets, no longer have that faith. They may say that they do not believe in the market, but in reality, what they really mean is they do not have faith or trust in the market’s ability to make them a profit. There are many people who believe in God, but that does not mean that they have faith in God. To have faith is to put your trust in God. It means that one must be willing to trust him with the affairs of their lives. It means, before we make a decision, we go to God in prayer, and ask for his advice. Then when he responds, regardless of our personal inclination, we are going to follow his advice, because we trust him. We know that he has our best interests at heart.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Hebrews, chapter eleven, is known as the faith chapter of the Bible. The Apostle Paul writes about many of the patriarchs who were justified by their faith. We have faith in God, when we do not see any evidence, or results of our faith. By faith, we have hope that God is in control of the outcome, and we are confident that whatever the outcome is, it is in our best interest.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Verse six tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Today in our religious society, many say you simply must believe in God, yet here we see we must not only believe, but put our trust in God. Only when we put our trust in God will we be able to obey God by giving the proper response to his commandments.
Gal 3:7-12 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.
We see that by faith, we became the spiritual children of Abraham, who was justified by his faith. In other words, we become sons of the faithful. We follow Abraham’s example of faith. We first believe in God, then we believe what God says. We agree that he exists and we believe the words that he commands us to do. By faith we step out and respond to his commandments. By stepping out in faith, we access his mercy and grace.
Gal 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
When we become spiritual sons of Abraham, we also become children of God, by faith in the work that Jesus performed for us at Calvary. When we follow Jesus example at Calvary, we become immersed in Christ and therefore put him on. When we are born again, we are initiated into the spiritual Kingdom of God and become part of the Body of Christ.
Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The opening verses of Hebrews, chapter twelve, sum up chapter eleven, by saying we are surrounded by a great number of witnesses. If we examine the patriarchs of chapter eleven very carefully, we will find that not only were they all justified by their faith, but they all had to respond to God as evidence of their faith.
Jm 2:13-14 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jm 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jm 2:20-26 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
The apostle James very nicely sums up the concept of faith and works. Here James is not talking about the works of the law alone. He is talking about the combination of faith and works. He shows us how faith is dead without works. Faith will bring about works. If we depend on just our faith, then we will never respond and approach the throne of God, where His mercy resides. Faith requires a response. It can be said that if you show me a man with faith alone, I will show you a dead man. Show me a man with works alone and I will also show you another dead man. But show me a man who has works as the evidence of his faith and I will show you a man who has found true salvation. Works alone are an example of extreme holiness, while faith alone is an example of extreme easy believe-ism.
Let us use the example of looking out the window and seeing a tornado coming. The person who sees the tornado, warns those in the building who do not see the tornado of the impending danger. Everyone in the building has a choice at this point. They can either believe the warning of impending danger, or not believe the warning. If they have faith in the person who is giving the warning, they will most likely choose to believe the warning. Their faith and belief will most likely cause them to seek shelter from the storm. If the Tornado destroys the building, then the combination of belief and faith led them to action, which saved their lives. If they do not believe or have faith in the person giving the warning, then they most likely will fail to act. This failure to act will cost them their life.
Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Paul explains this concept by asking the question, because we have faith and have obtained God’s mercy, should we continue in sin? No we need to turn away from sin. We need to have the evidence that God’s Spirit working in our lives. We need to avoid sin at all cost. If we stumble and fall, then we must go back to the throne of God and repent to receive God’s mercy for our mistake.
I Cor 15;10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Here Paul explains that it is not him, but God working within him that lead him to avoid sin. God saves us by his grace, but it is his abiding Spirit that helps us continue with him. When we understand this, we will recognize that it is not us that is really doing the work, but the Spirit of God, which God has given us by his grace because of his mercy, working within us that saves us from sin.
II Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
The Spirit of God working in our lives is what causes us to have an abundance of good work in our lives. The work therefore is not the work that we do as much as it is the Spirit of God working in us.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jesus defines love for us as he sees it. He defines love as obedience to his commandments. He says, if we really love him, we are to keep his commandments. However, the law alone proves we are not able to do this. So how are we to obey Jesus commandment. It is the Spirit abiding in us, that gives us supernatural power to over come sin in our lives. It is the Spirit that enables us to keep his commandments. It is the Spirit, that the Lord fills us with, that is the real grace of God. Grace is a gift that we receive, when we receive His Spirit. We will examine this in greater detail in the posting.
